Why do we consider Tulsi sacred?

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Why do we consider Tulsi sacred?

 

Tulsi, Ocimum sanctum, belongs to the family of Labiatae. The

classical name, basilicum, from which " basil " is derived,

means " royal or princely. " Hindus know the plant as Tulasi and

Surasah in Sanskrit, and Tulsi in Hindi. Other commonly used names

are Haripriya, dear to Vishnu, and Bhutagni, destroyer of demons.

Tulsi is Divinity. It is regarded not merely as a utilitarian God-

send, as most sacred plants are viewed to be, but as an incarnation

of the Goddess Herself. Thus, when one bows before Tulsi, one bows

before the Goddess. Of course, denominations differ in their

approach. Generally, worshipers of Vishnu will envision Tulsi as

Lakshmi or Vrinda; devotees of Rama may view Tulsi as Sita; while

Krishna bhaktas revere Her as Vrinda, Radha or Rukmani.

 

A plethora of Puranic legends and village stories relate how Tulsi

came to grow and be worshiped on Earth. The classic Hindu myth,

Samudramathana, the " Churning of the Cosmic Ocean, " explains that

Vishnu spawned Tulsi from the turbulent seas as a vital aid for all

mankind. More common are legends that describe how the Goddess

Herself came to reside on Earth as Tulsi. A complex legend in Orissa

views the plant as the fourth incarnation of the Goddess who appeared

as Tulsi at the beginning of our present age, the Kali yuga. The tale

continues with intrigue and deception among the Gods, typical of the

Puranic stories, culminating in Vishnu's transforming the Goddess

Tulsi into a basil bush to be worshiped morning and evening by men

and women in every household in the world.

 

The Tulsi is the most sacred. In Sanskrit that which is incomparable

is called Tulasi. Impressed by her devotion and adherence to

righteousness, Tulasi the wife of a celestial being was blessed by

Lord Krishna that she would be worshipped by all, offerings would be

incomplete without the offering of Tulasi. She also symbolises

Goddess Lakshmi. Those who wish a righteous life also worship Tulasi.

It symbolises,

 

1)Kalyani - Normally poisonous snakes and mosquitos do not come close

to it due to some smell that it emits. That explains why it is a must

in every house. The leaves as well roots are a cure for several

diseases like malaria, cold, fever. The wood of this plant is used

for Mala, ie a rosary for worship of Lord Vishnu and when worn in the

neck it prevents diseases of the throat.

 

2) Visnu Priye - Tulsi has been described as the beloved of Lord

Vishnu since he is the creator and Tulsi helps the health of human

beings and animals, prevents soil erosion.

 

3) Moksa - prade - By keeping the body healthy, it keeps the mind

healthy and free of worries enabling us to concentrate on worship of

the Ultimate Reality in comfort.

 

Tusli, along with all other species of basil, possesses remarkable

physical and spiritually healing properties, as author Stephen P.

Huyler summarizes, " Aside from its religious merits, Tulsi has been

praised in Indian scriptures and lore since the time of the early

Vedas as an herb that cures blood and skin diseases. Ancient

treatises extol it as an antidote for poisons, a curative for kidney

disease and arthritis, a preventative for mosquito and insect bites,

and a purifier of polluted air. Generally prepared in medicinal teas

and poultices, Tulsi's widespread contemporary use in India as an aid

to internal and external organs suggests these traditions are based

upon practical efficacy. " One finds descriptions of basil's health

benefits in any of the books on herbs and ayurveda readily available

today.

 

Tulsi is also extensively used to maintain ritual purity, to purify

if polluted and to ward off evil. A leaf is kept in the mouth of the

dying to insure passage to heavenly realms. During an eclipse, leaves

are ingested and also placed in cooked food and stored water to ward

off psychic pollution. Funeral pyres often contain tulsi wood to

protect the spirit of the dead--as Bhutagni, destroyer of demons.

tulsi leaves and sprigs are hung in the entryways of homes to keep

away troublesome spirits, and the mere presence of the Tulsi shrine

is said to keep the entire home pure, peaceful and harmonious.